NGC 40 is a fine little planetary nebula. You'll find this object in far eastern Cepheus about 3.4 degrees southwest of 5.4 magnitude 23 Cassiopeiae. The sketch at left records the view in my 10-inch Newtonian at 129X. NGC 40 is nearly centered within the field. It features an 11.5 magnitude central star embedded within an irregular nebulosity. Brighter lobes extend toward the northeast and southwest in an hourglass shape reminiscent of the impressive M27. These lobes have a diameter of 45" and are complimented by more subtle nebulosity filling in the southeast and northwest quadrants. A 9th magnitude GSC star is visible about 4' due south. An 8th magnitude GSC star shines the same distance to the northeast. An additional 7 field stars complete the view.